East Syracuse buys property for sewer project

The East Syracuse village board bought two lots on Ellis Street to serve as the site of a pump house and temporary storage tank that would be used when the storm water and sanitary sewers systems are overwhelmed.

The village is under order from the state Department of Environmental Conservation to clean up problems with both systems, and is working to do so. The roughly $2 million project would include the pump, tank and other improvements, Mayor Danny Liedka said.

The two lots, at the end of East Ellis near the railroad tracks and yards, cost $24,000. The tank will be partially underground and fenced, and will have to blend in with the area, Liedka said.

If the village gets federal economic stimulus money for the project, work could begin "right away," he said. If not, it probably won't happen until 2011, he said.